Amy F. Bailes, PT, PhD
- Physical Therapist III, Division of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy
- Associate Professor, UC Department of Allied Health
About
Biography
I am a physical therapist (PT) specializing in treating children with neurodevelopmental disorders, primarily those with cerebral palsy (CP). I am also an associate professor in the College of Allied Health Science at the University of Cincinnati. My interest in PT began as a teenager when I babysat and volunteered to provide services to a child with cerebral palsy.
There is a need for more evidence to support the care we provide. As a health services researcher, I focus on learning what dose of physical therapy produces the best outcomes. Many factors play a role in determining what works for which child and when. Working with families and children to determine best practices, such as the best therapy program for each child and family, drives my research. I am also working to engage other clinicians in research.
I’m honored to be the recipient of various awards, including:
- The Jeanne Hughes Award, given by the Pediatric Physical Therapy Journal for the best manuscript published in the journal completed while the author was a student (2012)
- The Promotion of Doctoral Studies (PODS) I Scholarship from the Foundation for Physical Therapy (2009, 2010, 2011)
- The Jayne Snyder Award for exceptional clinician from the Foundation for Physical Therapy (2011)
I am also on the Cerebral Palsy Research Network's leadership team — a multi-center, multi-discipline collaboration among patients, families and clinicians to foster high-quality, high-impact clinical research and quality improvement for treatments in CP.
BS: Physical Therapy, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, 1985.
MS: Pediatric Physical Therapy Science, Boston University, Boston, MA, 1990.
PhD: Clinical Epidemiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2014.
Specialist Certification: American Physical Therapy Association, Pediatric Clinical Specialist, 1993 to present.
Interests
Developmental disabilities; cerebral palsy
Services and Specialties
Interests
Cerebral palsy; dosing; service utilization
Research Areas
Publications
Describing Physical Therapy Services Delivered to Children With Autism in the Outpatient Medical Setting. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2026; 38(1):41-48.
Commentary on "Lower Limb Training Threshold Dose and Motor Learning Strategy Reporting in Children With Cerebral Palsy". Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2026; 38(1):19.
Healthcare Decision-Making and Evolving Autonomy in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy. Journal of Pediatrics. 2025; 291:114953.
Multi-center improvement in screening for pain that affects activities in adults with cerebral palsy. Disability and Health Journal. 2025; 18(4):101911.
OT Dose Delivered to Autistic Children Varies by Age in the Outpatient Setting. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2025; 79(Supplement_2):7911500267p1-7911500267p1.
Characterizing OT Dose Delivered to Autistic Children. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2025; 79(Supplement_2):7911500314p1-7911500314p1.
Multicenter Improvement in Screening for Dystonia in Young People With Cerebral Palsy. Neurology: Clinical Practice. 2025; 15(3):e200469.
Physical Therapy Dose After Orthopedic Multilevel Surgery Varies by Ambulatory Status in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2025; 37(1):37-44.
Interventions to Improve the Occupational Performance of Youth With Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2024; 78(6).
White matter characteristics in children with cerebral palsy prior to selective dorsal rhizotomy: a multicenter diffusion tensor imaging study. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. 2024; 34(3):268-277.
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